GPO solicits industry comments on ID card plan

The Government Printing Office is seeking industry comments on its proposal to hire a contractor to help build and maintain a repository for developing and producing government identification cards under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12.

In a presolictation notice, GPO said it wants interested vendors to comment on its plan to host such a facility in the Washington area. Comments are due July 14.

Under HSPD-12, agencies must begin issuing Personal Identity Verification II cards for new employees and contractors by Oct. 27.

The proposal is part of GPO's e-IDentification program, an initiative in which the agency will provide ID credentials under HSPD-12 and other existing and future government ID initiatives. For instance, GPO already is producing electronic passports for the State Department.

"The goals of the USGPO are to provide a trusted, secure supply chain for the procurement and maintenance of electronic components and software, to enhance the overall security of government identification credentials, and to utilize the core competencies and internal capabilities of the USGPO where appropriate for security reasons or where efficiencies can be achieved," the notice said.

Rob Thormeyer is a staff writer for Washington Technology's sister publication, Government Computer News.